Three years on from the stadium-conquering X&Y, Coldplay are once again braving the critics and public.

Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, which is released in mid June, is the band’s fourth release, sonically guided by the production genius Brian Eno.

Here the band talk you through the album, track by track:

:: Lost!
Church organs swell over an earthy vocal where Martin is, “Waiting till the shine wears off”.
Jonny Buckland: “We recorded some of it
in a church up the road that’s now a studio. In a huge room with a piano and organ going at the same time.”


:: 42
A three-part epic. Profoundly moving piano riff nods to Lennon’s Imagine before strings swell and Martin hollers, “I thought you might be a ghost!”
Chris Martin: "Hitch Hiker’s Guide related? (The number 42 is revealed as 'the answer to life the universe and everything' in Douglas Adams’s sci-fi series) It is and it isn’t. 42 is my favourite number. 42 is just perfect. We’ve got two John Lennon songs, this and Violet Hill.”

Previous two tracks|Next two tracks

This feature - and a full interview with Coldplay - will be in the July issue of Q, on sale June 1.